Shortly after My Cowboy and I started dating, he invited me to watch him compete in a team roping with his boss at the time. I was all for it so I tagged along. As I enjoyed the evening of observing him, I remember thinking, “I really need to marry this cowboy.” Nothing was as attractive to me as a man on a horse. That was even multiplied in my smitten mind by the whole roping part of the deal. 

I still love to watch him rope. It never gets old. I certainly can’t rope myself, even attempting in the least scares me, because it takes a lot of skill. Although, that very first night I ever saw him rope, he told me he would have me roping in no time. Psh…five years later and I’ve  never even swung a rope on the ground! Maybe someday.  For now, I will just continue to enjoy gawking at him. 

See? Doesn’t he look good? I can never seem to get enough of it. As I’ve already mentioned, in my five years of marriage to this cowboy, I have learned that very few things bring him as much happiness as a day spent roping and riding.

This family branding that I have been telling you all about is where all of our cowboys started to rope. With a little help from those who are older and already had the skill mastered, they slowly learned themselves. Fortunately, My Cowboy has a great roper for a father, who was able to pass on what he knew to all five of his boys. Isn’t that one of the greatest blessings of this life? Learning a skill at the feet of someone who understands it and was once in your shoes, progressing and growing themselves. And the understanding that they once needed a master of the art to teach them and started out just like you, with that thirst for any knowledge and a willingness to work so they could eventually land on their feet, in a place where they would have the skill and abilities to teach others who likewise will need the benefits of their instruction. Like these cowboys, I imagine most of us owe a lot of what we have learned to our parents. I sure do!

This post is entitled “The Art of Roping” for a reason. It is an art. All of the things a roper has to keep their focus set on to glide that loop right were it is intended to go is so impressive. There is such a beauty and eloquence in these skills amidst the seeming rudeness of animal behavior, unpredictable weather conditions, manure, and days laden with dust.

Looking into these faces and getting a glimpse of the satisfaction they feel from a long day’s work, participating in ways they thoroughly enjoy is something that is a privilege to see.

I’ve shared several pictures of this little cowboy nephew of ours. With help from those who have been where he is, he dragged in his first calf this year!

I am so grateful for the many individuals who have blessed my life, by sharing with me what they know so I can grow and progress in ways that bring me closer to my goals. The patience and love that it requires to effectively teach someone has touched me many times from the countless individuals who have helped me learn throughout my lifetime.

God’s patience is another gift for which I am continually thankful. A seasoned roper sees the potential in the eyes of a little cowboy, like our nephew, as they remember how they got their own start with a rope. The fact that God doesn’t just view me as I am now but with the potential of all I can become if I choose diligence and hard work is something that is extremely special to me.